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Northeastern's Hartzell picks Wittenberg

Northeastern grad says he’ll play basketball and track for Tigers; excited to be close to home.

Northeastern's Aaron Hartzell (30) blocks a shot by Greeneview's Kody McDonald (11) during a game in January. Hartzell, who will play college ball for the Wittenberg Tigers, said playing close to home was a factor in his decision.

Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic Northeastern's Aaron Hartzell (30) blocks a shot by Greeneview's Kody McDonald (11) during a game in January. Hartzell, who will play college ball for the Wittenberg Tigers, said playing close to home was a factor in his decision.

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By David Jablonski, Staff Writer 10:32 PM Thursday, July 23, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Playing close to home made Aaron Hartzell’s decision to attend Wittenberg University an easy one.

The 6-foot-7 Northeastern High School graduate told Wittenberg men’s basketball coach Bill Brown and track and field coach Craig Penney last week that he plans to be a Tiger.

“When I met with the coaches, they really swayed my decision,” Hartzell said. “They were really positive people.”

Hartzell has a 5-month-old son, Braylon. He’s grateful he’ll get to be around his son while attending college.

“Playing close to home was really important to me,” Hartzell said.

Hartzell made the All-Ohio Heritage Conference first team in basketball as a senior and set an OHC meet record in the high jump (6 feet, 6 inches) in the spring. He set a school record in the high jump (6-8) at the Clark County Track and Field Championships and was named Most Outstanding Male Athlete.

Hartzell averaged 9.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.2 blocked shots per game last season.

“Aaron has a unique combination of height and athleticism, and this provides him with a great potential upside,” Brown said. “From a defensive and rebounding perspective, Aaron will be ahead of most other freshman big men. As he gains body weight, improves his strength level and develops his offensive game around the basket, his game should take giant leaps forward.”

Hartzell broke his left wrist last summer, and he said it affected his shot last spring and continues to bug him. He knows he needs to get it back to 100 percent for his offensive game to improve.

“I know and everyone knows I need to work on my offensive game,” Hartzell said. “I’m pretty solid on defense. Coach Brown is definitely a defensive coach.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0351 or djablonski@coxohio.com.

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